There’s a sense of relief when folks come to peace with who they are, and the role they play in the world.
In the NFL that dose of reality usually happens after a player concludes his fourth or fifth season, right about the time they get a taste of free agency and discover what their market value actually is.
At least that was for the case for the two linebackers competing to replace Tyrel Dodson, who is sidelined by a concussion he sustained last week, as inside linebacker paired with Jordyn Brooks in the center of the Miami Dolphins’ defense.
Willie Gay Jr. left a role as a starter for Kansas City’s championship-caliber team to sign with New Orleans after his fourth season, but things went south with the Saints last year.
K.J. Britt served as a starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his fourth season. But his play was fairly uneven, and Tampa Bay opted to move on, letting 2021 fifth-round pick sign with Miami as a backup.
“It’s time!” said Britt, who contributed 72 tackles and one pass breakup in the 14 games he played last season as Tampa Bay’s starter.
“This is the same thing each week. Prepare to have your number called. In this league it’s the next man up so you should always prepare like you’re the starter,” Britt continued. “I’ve been around this league for a while, and I know how it goes. Everybody is just one play away.”
Britt replaced Dodson in the fourth quarter because he’s Dodson’s primary backup, but coach Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver acknowledged that Britt and Gay are auditioning this week for that spot, and the green-dot role as Miami’s defensive playcaller on the field.
“That conversation is always interesting. People just think, ‘Just give it to the next guy.’ That guy that has the green dot, there’s a tremendous amount of responsibility that comes with that,” Weaver said. “I’ve been around some guys who have gotten that and it’s slowed down their play because now they are in charge of sending out information everywhere.”
Jordyn Brooks would raise his hand at that moment after admitting his one season as the green-dot player in Seattle negatively impacted him.
“Some guys just need a little bit more time to process what they have to do, who they have to talk to, what they are looking at,” Weaver said. “You have to make sure that guy has the right temperament. We’re currently trying to figure it out.”
Brooks is the ideal fit, but doesn’t want it. Britt and Gay Jr. might split playing time, and the prerequisite of wearing the green dot is making sure you’re on the field on all downs.
That opens the door for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to play that green-dot role, but he will be taking on the nickel cornerback role for the next few weeks and would Miami put that much on his plate.
“We’ll see,” Weaver said. “We’re working multiple guys there trying to find who is the most comfortable doing that.”
Gay has served as the green-dot player once in his career, in his second season with the Chiefs.
Back in those early days the game was moving so fast he struggled to keep up, Gay says in hindsight.
“The speed ain’t no thang no more. Now it’s all about getting in there, banging your head one good time and now I’m ready,” said Gay, who started his 53rd game last Sunday as part of the Dolphins’ dime package. “Once you get the flow of the play from the first two plays you see pulling, and get your depth on your drops, the game starts to slow down for you. That’s because of the experience of playing in games.”
These days Gay says he has learned how to accept the role given, and is focused on being where his feet are and stop stressing about anything else, like proving he’s an NFL starter.
“I’ve been through that already,” Gay said. “Do your job, do what’s asked of you.”
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Britt claims he’s in the same place in his NFL career, learning to focus on where he’s at instead of where he’s going.
That’s the type of awareness, and sense of self that usually comes with time, and experiences.
“I hate that we didn’t get the win [last week], but I need to let it loose and go out there and play fast and free,” Britt said. “Anxiety and stress come from being unprepared, so if I prepare like I know I can I’ll be confident.”